PHILADELPHIA _ This was Game 96 on a balmy summer evening, an otherwise typical night that carried extra meaning for a rebuilding team because Jeremy Hellickson pitched. The mild-mannered Iowan knew the stakes; when he erred in a 4-1 win over Miami, he ripped his red Phillies cap from his head and shouted obscenities into his glove.
Hellickson stared at the Citizens Bank Park scoreboard while Chris Johnson rounded the bases, the lone Marlins run of the night. Two batters later, when Hellickson started a slick double play to end the fifth inning, he still yelled into his glove.
The veteran pitcher, who has a chance to join a contender through a trade and make an even greater impression before what should be a decent payday this winter, wanted to be perfect. He was close.
Hellickson dazzled for eight innings. He struck out eight, walked none, and made a fine impression for potential suitors.
It is now likely a matter of when Hellickson will be traded. The expectation is the Phillies will find a match in a seller's market. If the Marlins have real interest, it would be logical to consummate a deal before Monday, when Hellickson is again scheduled to oppose them in Miami.
But there are other factors. San Diego is reportedly trying hard to trade right-hander Andrew Cashner within the next two days. He is of the same caliber as Hellickson, a mid-rotation rental. Other teams, like Baltimore, San Diego and Pittsburgh, have rotation needs. They were represented Wednesday by scouts at Citizens Bank Park, although those scouts have been here all series and are presumably peeking at Phillies relievers, too.
They saw Hellickson at his best. He struck out five of the first nine batters he faced and used just 34 pitches in three innings. He escaped trouble in the fourth and turned a bad bunt into an inning-ending double play in the fifth. He retired the last seven batters he faced.
The Phillies invested $7 million and a rookie-ball pitcher in Hellickson last winter with the idea of him becoming a stabilizer for the young pitchers and a potential trade chip. That could prove to be a wise decision.
The Phillies have a ready replacement. Jake Thompson tossed six more scoreless innings Wednesday afternoon for Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The right-handed pitching prospect has a 0.58 ERA in his last nine starts. There is little left for him to accomplish in the minors, and he could be a big-league pitcher as soon as next week.
Tyler Goeddel, who played for the first time in 10 days, provided the needed offense before the second inning even ended. He launched a two-run homer in the first. He delivered a run-scoring single in the second. He had been hitless in his previous 16 at-bats and 1 for his last 26.
The rookie, with a rare opportunity, thrived. So did Hellickson, who could make his next start with another team, while the Phillies advance their reconstruction.
